Joe Biden goes to Costco

Vice president buys in bulk

By By SCOTT SUNDE

on November 29, 2012 9:23 AM

Photo: ap/getty

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Open the first Washington. D.C., Costco and look who shows up? Vice President Joe Biden shopped, grazed on samples and talked about the need for a middle-class tax cut on Thursday. The Associated Press reported that Biden said consumer confidence is growing, as demonstrated by the huge crowd at the gleaming new store, and said "the last thing we need to do is dash that now" by imposing a tax increase of about $2,200 for a typical middle-class family. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) less

Open the first Washington. D.C., Costco and look who shows up? Vice President Joe Biden shopped, grazed on samples and talked about the need for a middle-class tax cut on Thursday. The Associated Press reported ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

Open the first Washington. D.C., Costco and look who shows up? Vice... Photo-3812400.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Apparently, when you are the vice president, someone else will push your cart. But employee Ivey Stewart did get a vice presidential hug at the end of shopping. ( SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Apparently, when you are the vice president, someone else will push your cart. But employee Ivey Stewart did get a vice presidential hug at the end of shopping. ( SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: Ap/getty

Apparently, when you are the vice president, someone else will push... Photo-3812398.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Just another day of buying big stuff with the big guy at Costco. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Just another day of buying big stuff with the big guy at Costco. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: Ap/getty

Just another day of buying big stuff with the big guy at Costco.... Photo-3812399.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Biden ate a food sample. But who among us hasn't done the Costco nibble? But he hasn't learned to eat and push a cart at the same time. The Secret Service agent in the middle later wrestled a big jar of mayo to the ground. ( SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) less

Biden ate a food sample. But who among us hasn't done the Costco nibble? But he hasn't learned to eat and push a cart at the same time. The Secret Service agent in the middle later wrestled a big jar of mayo to ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

Biden ate a food sample. But who among us hasn't done the... Photo-3812402.53140 - seattlepi.com

When the vice president shows up, so does the big brass all the way from Costco's Seattle-area headquaters. Biden holds up his Costco card alongside Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal. Sinegal said of Biden's visit, according to pool reports, "As you can see he draws quite a bit of attention.” Biden himself admitted to reporter: “In all honesty, I didn’t have my own card, Jill (his wife) wouldn’t let me have one,” he said. “I went to get my wife’s card, and she said, ‘No, No, get your own card.’” The White House says the Bidens had been members in the past and paid $55 again this week to join.

When the vice president shows up, so does the big brass all the way from Costco's Seattle-area headquaters. Biden holds up his Costco card alongside Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal. Sinegal said of Biden's visit, ... more

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When the vice president shows up, so does the big brass all the way... Photo-3812450.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Can't a guy do some shopping without all these questions? He told reporters he chatted with shoppers. “All the people you meet and see… don’t need to see their taxes go up.” (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Can't a guy do some shopping without all these questions? He told reporters he chatted with shoppers. “All the people you meet and see… don’t need to see their taxes go up.” (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Can't a guy do some shopping without all these questions? He... Photo-3812476.53140 - seattlepi.com

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And you think Cabinet meetings are tough. Try picking out the right thing from the uber-bakery at Costco. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

And you think Cabinet meetings are tough. Try picking out the right thing from the uber-bakery at Costco. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Photo: Ap/getty

And you think Cabinet meetings are tough. Try picking out the right... Photo-3812477.53140 - seattlepi.com

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The bakery employees asked him if he wanted a sample. Being vice president does have its perks. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The bakery employees asked him if he wanted a sample. Being vice president does have its perks. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Photo: Ap/getty

The bakery employees asked him if he wanted a sample. Being vice... Photo-3812479.53140 - seattlepi.com

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You never know who is going to line up for some free food. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

You never know who is going to line up for some free food. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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You never know who is going to line up for some free food. (SAUL... Photo-3812445.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Just in time for the college bowl season, Biden has a big-screen TV on the bottom of the cart. He declined the offers of the tire department to stop by. “Hey man, I don’t need tires,” pool reports quote him as saying. “I don’t drive anymore.”(Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) less

Just in time for the college bowl season, Biden has a big-screen TV on the bottom of the cart. He declined the offers of the tire department to stop by. “Hey man, I don’t need tires,” pool reports quote ... more

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Just in time for the college bowl season, Biden has a big-screen TV... Photo-3812447.53140 - seattlepi.com

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What do you think the chances are that other customers said, "Hey, maybe we should buy some of that?" Or perhaps it was, "I ain't buying it if he is!" (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

What do you think the chances are that other customers said, "Hey, maybe we should buy some of that?" Or perhaps it was, "I ain't buying it if he is!" (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: Ap/getty

What do you think the chances are that other customers said,... Photo-3812449.53140 - seattlepi.com

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We're not sure who he called with Ivey Stewart's phone. But press reports say it made her cry with joy. AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

We're not sure who he called with Ivey Stewart's phone. But press reports say it made her cry with joy. AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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We're not sure who he called with Ivey Stewart's phone.... Photo-3812486.53140 - seattlepi.com

Nice to know someone isn't going to get coal in his stocking. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Nice to know someone isn't going to get coal in his stocking. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Nice to know someone isn't going to get coal in his stocking.... Photo-3812401.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Then the VP head to the expensive section. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Then the VP head to the expensive section. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Then the VP head to the expensive section. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty... Photo-3812396.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Even the vice president can use some Christmas shopping pointers. He is apparently seeking advice from his daughter Ashley about which watch to buy. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Even the vice president can use some Christmas shopping pointers. He is apparently seeking advice from his daughter Ashley about which watch to buy. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: Ap/getty

Even the vice president can use some Christmas shopping pointers.... Photo-3812446.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Biden tried on a watch. Think the guy next to him is security? It's not clear whether he bought a watch. If he did and it's a Christmas present, it's safe to say the secret is out. ( SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) less

Biden tried on a watch. Think the guy next to him is security? It's not clear whether he bought a watch. If he did and it's a Christmas present, it's safe to say the secret is out. ( SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

Biden tried on a watch. Think the guy next to him is security?... Photo-3812394.53140 - seattlepi.com

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Costco shoppers everywhere want to know: Did he wait in line to checkout? And did someone at the door go over his receipt? Could he resist getting a mega-hot dog or frozen yogurt on his way out? His purchases included flowers, children’s books, fire logs, a 32-inch Panasonic TV and a large apple pie. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) less

Costco shoppers everywhere want to know: Did he wait in line to checkout? And did someone at the door go over his receipt? Could he resist getting a mega-hot dog or frozen yogurt on his way out? His purchases ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

Costco shoppers everywhere want to know: Did he wait in line to... Photo-3812393.53140 - seattlepi.com